The symbolism of meeting in Mecca, within sight of Islam's holiest place, does seem to have had some effect.

AGREEMENT KEY POINTS

Ismail Haniya of Hamas remains PM

Key interior, finance and foreign ministries to be run by independents

Reports say Hamas to take nine cabinet posts, Fatah six and one each to four other parties

No explicit recognition of Israel

The promise of a billion dollars in Saudi aid was no doubt an additional incentive.

But, for the long-suffering Palestinians, the real prize is the resumption of international aid.

And that is not assured.

Much of the wrangling in Mecca was over the word "respect".

Rather than agree to "commit itself" to existing Israeli-Palestinian agreements, Hamas insisted it would merely "respect" them.

The international community has demanded much more: the Islamist movement must recognise Israel, renounce violence and formally accept existing peace agreements.

Wait and see

The Mecca accord is embodied in a letter from Mr Abbas to Mr Haniya. It states: "I call upon you to respect international resolutions and the agreements signed by the Palestine Liberation Organisation."

But what does that actually mean?

So far, the world's response has been "let's wait and see".

Nevertheless there is already speculation of a possible split between the Americans and the European Union.

Some Europeans may argue the situation is so bad in the Middle East that it makes sense to lift, or ease, the embargo - and do business with the new government once it is up and running.